Should I consider tutoring for dd during the summer?

[slightlymentalmum2one]

Dd is 7 and will be in year 3 in September. She has had a checkered school history and in pre SATS markings at Christmas she was assessed at all level 1c. Since then she has had a Jew teacher and in her actual SATS was graded mostly 2b and a couple of 2a's.

The new teacher made all the difference for dd giving her confidence to try even if she failed and I'm worried if she has 7 weeks of she may lose the confidence she has built up.

Tutoring would be a struggle for us but if it helps avoid a year like this one it would be worth every penny. What do you think?

Sorry but I think she should be learning lots of other things over the summer, not studying, get out and see the world. Spend the money you would on a tutor on trips to the zoo, science museum, castles, woodland, country parks etc, lots to learn out in the real world, maybe keep a scrapbook for some writing practice.

Sorry booksandbrunch, I get a bit defensive about tutors .

Playing my dd will be doing all that and more ,the holidays are 6 weeks so half an hour a day 5 days a week will be entirely reasonable.

Said dd's lack of confidence in maths is crippling her ability,she's had a dreadful year with 5 different teachers and is far too tired after school to do any extra during term time. Boosting her core skills would be massively beneficial. Not all dc are the same.

Books many thanks for all that advice,will be really helpful. Don't so where do you advertise and how do I know if a KS1/2 tutor in maths is as good as you?

I initially used the websites, tutor hunt, UKtutors, tutors4me, FirstTutors, although I get a lot of referrals now from past clients and people I know.

The first thing to look at is the online profile. It should list qualifications, teaching and tutoring experience. You want someone who is able to give some examples of how they have helped children to progress. An enhanced CRB is a must and do ask to see it(you'd be surprised how many clients don't and are surprised when I present them with mine, alongside my degree cert etc)!

I think the best way of getting to know the tutor is through the telephone consultation. The problem is, most of the sites make you pay a small amount to release contact details, so you may have to take the hit if you don't like the tutor.

Now is the best time to find a tutor. Good ones get booked up quickly, but we have students moving on in the summer and may have spaces then.

Would recent teaching experience in school be preferable or not?

It is always a plus, although not vital. I have taught in a school for nearly ten years, but have given up to concentrate on tutoring and eventually set up a tutoring centre. I will ensure my knowledge is current because I am a fairly senior marker for the exam boards, so not teaching in a school makes little difference in my case. Don't discount an otherwise good tutor on that basis.

Great,have seen one who says she's had success in raising confidence in maths,will see what I can find out.

Many thanks!

Ok after taking in everyone's posts it seems the main consensus is little and often is best and I should be able to do it myself

I've been reading through this site and think I have come up with a plan. 15 mins of this www.amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/d/1855032457?m=A3P5ROKL5A1OLE to help her nearly unreadable writing followed by www.themathsfactor.com/summerschools/summer-schools-year-2.aspx#tabs?ss=true as a reward as she loves playing games on the computer.

I was thinking I could either get her to keep a summer diary or do a project for Beaver's to earn a badge to keep her writing and we do the summer reading scheme every year aswell. Hopefully this will keep things light and fun so avoid us falling out and if worse comes to worse hire a tutor for the rest of the holidays.
Does that sound ok?

Rock - I am by no means a tutor! Have just used their services extensively over the years and swear by them. My ds's school was so poor, I saw it merely as a baby sitting service and his tutors as his teachers. I've just had a mixed bag of experiences, some good and some bad, but even the poor ones, wouldn't stop me from using them.

playing - Ds starts secondary school in September, and like you, will do an hour everyday, much to his fathers disapproval, LOL.

Dontcallmehon - No worries at all. No offence taken. In fact, need a bit of advice. Starting secondary school in Sept. When should I start gentle tutoring for GCSE's?:)

Booksandbrunch, it all depends on how things are going, but if there are no major issues then I think Year 9 is a good year to start. I really do think many children flourish with one to one guidance, especially with a tutor who knows their stuff. Year 9 is when studies get more intense.

dontcallmehon - Thx for the advice. I'll ear mark year 9 then. Ms ds is going to one of the top comp's in the country, yet will still support with 1-1, so yes couldn't agree more.